Wearable camera system

ABSTRACT

A wearable camera systems according to examples of the present disclosure may include a camera and a mobile charging unit. The camera may include onboard power, memory and control for capturing and storing an image without being connected to the mobile charging unit and the camera body may have a width or a height that is smaller than the length of the camera body. The camera body may include a trigger for initiating image capture. The wearable camera may be attachable to an eyewear temple and the mobile charging unit is configured to recharge the wearable camera without being connected to an external power source.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of pending U.S. application Ser. No.15/423,315 filed Feb. 2, 2017, which application is a continuation ofU.S. application Ser. No. 14/757,753, filed Dec. 23, 2015 and issued asU.S. Pat. No. 9,628,707 on Apr. 18, 2017. The aforementionedapplications and issued patent are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entirety, for any purpose.

U.S. application Ser. No. 14/757,753 claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.119 of the earlier filing date of U.S. Provisional Application62/095,920 entitled “CAMERA SYSTEM COMPRISING WIRELESS POWER AND DATATRANSFER”, filed Dec. 23, 2014. The aforementioned provisionalapplication is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, for anypurpose.

U.S. application Ser. No. 14/757,753 claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.119 of the earlier filing date of U.S. Provisional Application62/104,418 entitled “ENHANCED CAMERA SYSTEM COMPRISING WIRELESS POWERAND DATA TRANSFER”, filed Jan. 16, 2015. The aforementioned provisionalapplication is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, for anypurpose.

U.S. application Ser. No. 14/757,753 claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.119 of the earlier filing date of U.S. Provisional Application62/113,573 entitled “ENHANCED CAMERA SYSTEM COMPRISING HIGHLY RESONANTCOUPLING”, filed Feb. 9, 2015. The aforementioned provisionalapplication is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, for anypurpose.

U.S. application Ser. No. 14/757,753 claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.119 of the earlier filing date of U.S. Provisional Application62/116,648 entitled “FURTHER ENHANCED CAMERA SYSTEM COMPRISING HIGHRESONANT COUPLING”, filed Feb. 16, 2015. The aforementioned provisionalapplication is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, for anypurpose.

U.S. application Ser. No. 14/757,753 claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.119 of the earlier filing date of U.S. Provisional Application62/127,622 entitled “HIGHLY RESONANT COUPLED CAMERA SYSTEM”, filed Mar.3, 2015. The aforementioned provisional application is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety, for any purpose.

U.S. application Ser. No. 14/757,753 claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.119 of the earlier filing date of U.S. Provisional Application62/128,362 entitled “CAMERA EYEWEAR SYSTEM”, filed Mar. 4, 2015. Theaforementioned provisional application is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety, for any purpose.

U.S. application Ser. No. 14/757.753 claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.119 of the earlier filing date of U.S. Provisional Application62/153,999 entitled “CAMERA SYSTEM CAPABLE OF WIRELESS ENERGY TRANSFER”,filed Apr. 28, 2015. The aforementioned provisional application ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, for any purpose.

U.S. application Ser. No. 14/757,753 claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.119 of the earlier filing date of U.S. Provisional Application62/154,019 entitled “CAMERA EYEWEAR SYSTEM”, filed Apr. 28, 2015. Theaforementioned provisional application is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety, for any purpose.

U.S. application Ser. No. 14/757,753 claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.119 of the earlier filing date of U.S. Provisional Application62/167,739 entitled “FURTHER ENHANCED CAMERA SYSTEM CAPABLE OF WIRELESSENERGY TRANSFER”, filed May 28, 2015, The aforementioned provisionalapplication is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, for anypurpose.

U.S. application Ser. No. 14/757.753 claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.119 of the earlier filing date of U.S. Provisional Application62/173,788 entitled “ROBUST CAMERA SYSTEM CAPABLE OF WIRELESS ENERGYTRANSFER”, filed Jun. 10, 2015. The aforementioned provisionalapplication is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, for anypurpose.

U.S. application Ser. No. 14/757,753 claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.119 of the earlier filing date of U.S. Provisional Application62/180,199 entitled “WIRELESS ENERGY TRANSFER CAMERA SYSTEM”, filed Jun.16, 2015. The aforementioned provisional application is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety, for any purpose.

U.S. application Ser. No. 14/757,753 claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.119 of the earlier tiling date of U.S. Provisional Application62/186,341 entitled “WIRELESS ENERGY TRANSFER. CAMERA SYSTEM”, filedJun. 29, 2015. The aforementioned provisional application is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety, for any purpose.

U.S. application Ser. No. 14/757,753 claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.119 of the earlier filing date of U.S. Provisional Application62/189,916 entitled “WIRELESS ENERGY TRANSFER CAMERA SYSTEM COMPRISINGENERGY HARVESTING”, filed Jul. 8, 2015. The aforementioned provisionalapplication is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, for anypurpose.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to camera systems and more specificallyto wearable camera systems.

BACKGROUND

The number and types of commercially available electronic wearabledevices continues to expand. Forecasters are predicting that theelectronic wearable devices market will more than quadruple in the nextten years. Some hurdles to realizing this growth remain. Two majorhurdles are the cosmetics/aesthetics of existing electronic wearabledevices and their limited battery life. Consumers typically desireelectronic wearable devices to be small, less noticeable, and requireless frequent charging. Typically, consumers are unwilling to compromisefunctionality to obtain the desired smaller form factor and extendedbattery life. The desire for a small form factor yet a longer batterylife are goals which are in direct conflict with one another and whichconventional devices are struggling to address. Further solutions inthis area may thus be desirable.

SUMMARY

A camera according to some examples of the present disclosure mayinclude an image capture device, a receiver configured to receive powerwirelessly from a distance separated transmitting coil of a wirelesspower transfer system which includes a base unit, a rechargeable batterycoupled to the receiver for storing wirelessly received power, and amemory configured to store images captured with the image capturedevice. In some examples, the another computing device may be the baseunit of the wireless power transfer system. The camera may be configuredto transfer data including one or more images captured with the imagecapture device to another computing device. In some examples, the cameramay be a wearable camera. In some examples, the camera may bewaterproof. In some examples, the camera may be devoid of a view finder.

In some examples, the camera's receiver may include a receiving coilhaving a magnetic core. In some examples, the magnetic core may includea ferrite core. In some examples, the receiving coil is configured toreceive power from the transmitting coil regardless of orientationbetween the receiving and transmitting coils. In some examples, at leastthe image capture device, the receiving coil, the processor, and thememory are enclosed in a housing configured to be movably coupled to awearable article. In some examples, the housing includes a guidecomprising one or more magnets for magnetically attaching the wearablecamera to eyewear. In some examples, the housing may include a firstopening and an optically transparent material spanning the firstopening, and a second opening and an acoustically transparent materialspanning the second opening.

In some examples, the camera may include a microphone. In some examples,the camera may be configured to detect an audible command and capture animage responsive to the audible command. In some examples, the cameramay include a transmitter configured to transmit one or more of theimages stored in the memory to the wireless power transfer system. Insome examples, the camera may be configured to broadcast a proximitysignal for detecting the wireless power receiver in proximity. In someexamples, the camera may include at least one user control for receivinguser input. In some examples, the at least one user control may includea capacitive switch. In some examples, the camera may include a statusindicator, a privacy indicator, or combinations thereof. In someexamples, the camera may include an aperture for engaging with asecuring ring. In further examples, the camera may include a guideconfigured to engage a temple guide in an eyewear frame, and wherein aplane of a diameter of the aperture is parallel with a longitudinaldirection of the guide. In some examples, the securing ring may be madeof a transparent plastic material. In some examples, the securing ringmay include a core diameter greater than 0.01mm and less than 2 mm. Insome examples, the core diameter may be less than 1 mm.

A system according to the present disclosure may include a base unitwhich includes a transmitter configured for wireless power delivery anda battery coupled to the transmitter, wherein the transmitter includes atransmitting coil having a magnetic core. The system may further includea camera, which may be a wearable camera, separated from the base unit,the camera including a receiver inductively coupled to the transmitterto receive power from the base unit while the camera remains within acharging distance from the base unit, wherein the receiver includes areceiving coil having a magnetic core, and wherein a dimension of thetransmitting coil is at least twice a dimension of the receiving coil.In some examples, the dimension of the transmitting coil may be adiameter of the transmitting coil, a length or a diameter of a wireforming windings of the transmitting coil, a number of windings of thetransmitting coil, or a length, a diameter or a surface area of the coreof the transmitting coil, and the dimension of the receiving coil mayrespectively be a diameter of the receiving coil, a length or a diameterof a wire forming windings of the receiving coil, a number of windingsof the receiving coil, or a length, a diameter or a surface area of thecore of the receiving coil. In some examples, the transmitter andreceiver may be configured for operation with a Q value less than 100.In some examples, the transmitter and receiver may be configured tooperate at a frequency within the range of 50 kHz or 500 kHz, whereinthe transmitter and receiver are configured to operate in weakresonance, and wherein the system is configured to operate using anamount of guided flux. In some examples, the base unit may bemechanically coupled to a portable communication device. In someexamples, the transmitter may include an omnidirectional antennaconfigured to transmit power to one or more electronic devices includingthe camera regardless of orientation of the electronic devices withrespect to the base unit. In some examples, the camera, which may be awearable camera, may be configured to be magnetically attached toeyewear.

A method according to some examples may include placing a base unitproximate a wearable camera, the base unit comprising a transmittingcoil configured to inductively couple with a receiving coil in thewearable camera to wirelessly transmit power to the wearable camera,detecting the wearable camera with the base unit, and wirelesslytransmitting power from the base unit to the wearable camera while theelectronic device remains within a charging range of the base unit oruntil a charge state signal of the wearable camera corresponds to afully charged state of the wearable camera. In some examples, the methodmay further include capturing an image responsive to an audible commanddetected by the wearable camera. In some examples, the method mayfurther include wirelessly transmitting an image captured by the camerato the base unit. In some examples, the detecting the wearable cameraincludes automatically detecting a signal from the wearable camera, thesignal broadcast by the wearable camera or transmitted to the base unitresponsive to an interrogation signal from the base unit. In someexamples, the wirelessly transmitting power from the base unit includesbroadcasting power signals at a body-safe level. In some examples, thewirelessly transmitting power from the base unit includes broadcastingpower signals at a frequency within the range of 50 kHz or 500 kHz.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features, aspects and attendant advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description of variousembodiments, including the best anode presently contemplated ofpracticing the invention, when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a camera in accordance with someexamples herein;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the camera in FIG. 1 takenat line 2-2;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate exploded views of the camera in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4A-4G illustrate isometric, top, bottom, front, back, left andright side views, respectively, of the camera in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a wireless power transfer systemaccording to examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates examples of electronic devices attached to eyewear inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a receiving coil for an electronicdevice such as the camera in FIG. 1, and a transmitting coil for a baseunit in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of a base unit implemented in theform of a mobile phone case form factor according to examples of thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate isometric and exploded isometric views of abase unit implemented as a mobile phone case according to furtherexamples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 illustrates a flow chart of a process according to some examplesherein;

FIG. 11 illustrates a typical use scenario of a base unit with awearable camera in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 12A-F illustrate views of a camera in accordance with furtherexamples herein;

FIG. 13 illustrates an isometric view of a camera in accordance with vetfurther examples herein;

FIG. 14 illustrates a flow diagram of a process for automatic processingof an image captured by a camera in accordance with some examplesherein;

FIG. 15 illustrates a system for automatic processing of images inaccordance some examples herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems, methods and apparatuses for wirelessly powering electronicdevices, for example a camera such as a wearable camera, are described.According to some examples, an electronic device, for example a wearablecamera, may be configured to receive power wirelessly from a distanceseparated transmitter of a base unit, which may be part of a wirelesspower transfer system. The base unit and/or wearable electronic devicemay be part of an ecosystem which may include any number of energytransmitting devices (e.g., base units) and any number of energyreceiving devices (e.g., wearable electronic devices). The electronicdevice (e.g., camera) may be placed within a charging zone (e.g.,hotspot) of the base unit and configured to receive power wirelesslyfrom the base unit while the electronic device remains within thehotspot. The electronic device may include a receiver (e.g., a receivingcoil) and the base unit may include a transmitter (e.g., transmittingcoil). The receiver of the wearable electronic device and thetransmitter of the base unit may be inductively coupled to enable thewearable electronic device to receive power wirelessly from the baseunit. The transmitter and receiver may be configured to operate at abody sate frequency. For example, the transmitter and receiver may beconfigured to operate at a frequency within the range of about 50 kHz orabout 500 kHz. in some examples, the transmitter and receiver may beconfigured to operate at a frequency within the range of about 75 kHz toabout 175 kHz. In some examples, the transmitter and receiver may beconfigured to operate in weak resonance. In some examples, thetransmitter and receiver may be configured for operation with a Q valueless than 100. In some examples, the wireless power transfer system mayoperate using an amount of guided flux.

As described, the electronic device according to some examples hereinmay be a camera. FIGS. 1-4 show views of a camera 1200 in accordancewith some examples of the present disclosure. The camera 1200 may beconfigured to record audiovisual data. The camera 1200 may include animage capture device 1210, a battery 1220, a receiver 1230, a memory1240, and a controller 1250. The image capture device 1210 may includean image sensor 1212 and an optical component (e.g., camera lens 1214).The image capture device may be configured to capture a variety ofvisual data, such as image stills, video, etc. Thus, images or imagedata may interchangeably be used to refer to any images (includingvideo) captured by the camera 1200. In some examples, the camera 1200may be configured to record audio data. For example, the camera 1200 mayinclude a microphone 1268 operatively coupled to the memory 1240 forstoring audio detected by the microphone 1268.

The controller 1250 may be implemented in hardware and/or software. Forexample, the controller 1250 may be implemented using one or moreapplication specific integrated circuits (ASICs). In some examples, someor all of the functionality of the controller 1250 may be implemented inprocessor-executable instructions, which may be stored in memory onboardthe camera (e.g., memory 1240). In some examples the camera maywirelessly receive instructions for performing certain functions of thecamera, e.g., initiating image/video capture, initiating data transfer,setting parameters of the camera, and the like. The processor-executableinstructions, when executed by a processor 1252 onboard the camera 1200may program the camera 1200 to perform functions, as described furtherbelow. Any combination of hardware and/or software components may beused to implement the functionality of a camera according to the presentdisclosure (e.g., camera 1200).

The battery 1220 may be a rechargeable battery such as a Nickel-MetalHydride (NiMH), a Lithium ion (Li-ion), or a Lithium ion polymer (Li-ionpolymer) battery. The battery 1220 may be operatively coupled to thereceiver to store power received wirelessly from a distance separatedwireless power transfer system. In some example, the battery may becoupled to energy generator (e.g., an energy harvesting device) onboardthe camera. Energy harvesting devices may include, but are not limitedto, kinetic-energy harvesting devices, solar cells, thermoelectricgenerators, or radio-frequency harvesting devices.

The receiver 1230 may include a receiving coil 1232 configured to coupleinductively with a distance separated transmitting coil (e.g., Tx coil112, Tx coil 312), which may be part of a base unit (e.g., base unit100, 300) in a wireless power transfer system (e.g., system 10). Thereceiving coil 1232 may include a magnetic core 1234 with conductivewindings 1236. The windings may include copper wire (also referred to ascopper windings). In some examples, the copper wire may be monolithiccopper wire (e.g., single-strand wire). In some examples, the copperwire may be multi-strand copper wire (e.g., Litz wire), which may reduceresistivity due to skin effect in some examples, which may improve thepower transfer between the receiving coil and transmitting coil. In someexamples, the magnetic core 1234 may be a ferrite core (interchangeablyreferred to as ferrite rod). The ferrite core may comprise a mediumpermeability ferrite, for example 78 material supplied by Fair-RiteCorporation. In some examples, the ferrite core may comprise a highpermeability material, such as Vitroperm 500F supplied by Vacuumschmelzein Germany. Ferrite cores comprising other ferrite materials may beused. In some examples, the ferrite may have a medium permeability ofmicro-i (μ) of about 2300. In some examples, the ferrite may havepermeability of micro-i (μ) ranging from about 200 to about 5000. Insome examples, different magnetic material may be used for the magneticcore.

In some examples, the receiver 1230 may be configured to looselyinductively couple to a transmitter (e.g., a transmitter 110 of baseunit 100). For example, the receiving coil 1232 may be configured toloosely inductively couple to a transmitting coil of the base unit. Aswill be further described below, the transmitting coil may include amagnetic core with windings. Similar materials may be used for the coreand windings of the transmitting coil; however the receiving andtransmitting coils may differ significantly in size, e.g., asillustrated in FIG. 7 and as will be further described. In someexamples, the receiving coil may be configured to receive power from thetransmitting coil regardless of relative orientation between thereceiving and transmitting coils. Generally, a transmitting coil of abase unit according to the examples herein may utilize a magnetic core,which may in some examples shape the field provided by the transmittingcoil, as the field lines may preferentially go through the magnetic coreand in this manner a partially guided flux may be used where a portionof the flux is guided by the magnetic core. In some examples, thereceiving coil 1232 of the electronic device may be configured toresonantly inductively couple to the transmitting coil.

In some examples, the memory 1240 of the camera may storeprocessor-executable instructions for performing functions of the cameradescribed herein. In such examples, a micro-processor may be operativelycoupled to the memory and configured to execute the processor-executableinstruction to cause the camera to perform functions, such as causepower to be selectively received upon detection of the wireless powerreceiver in proximity, cause images to be captured upon receiving animage capture command, and/or cause images to be stored in the memory.In some examples, the memory 1240 may be configured to store user dataincluding image data (e.g., images captured with the camera 1200). Insome examples, the user data may include configuration parameters.Although certain electronic components, such as the memory 1240 andprocessor 1252 are discussed in the singular, it will be understood thatthe camera may include any number of memory devices and any number ofprocessors and other appropriately configured electronic components.

The memory 1240 and processor 1252 may be connected to a main circuitboard 1260 (e.g., main PCB). The main circuit board 1260 may support oneor more additional components, such as a wireless communication device(e.g., a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth chip), microphone and associated circuitry1268, and others. In some examples, one or more of these components maybe supported by separate circuit boards (e.g., auxiliary board 1264)operatively coupled to the main circuit board 1260. In some examples,some of the functionality of the camera may be incorporated in aplurality of separate IC chips or integrated into a single processingunit.

The electronic components of camera 1200 may be packaged in a housing1280, which may be made from a variety of rigid plastic materials knownin the consumer electronics industry. In some examples, a thickness ofthe camera housing 1280 may range from about 0.3 mm to about 1 mm. Insome examples, the thickness may be about 0.5 mm. In some examples, thethickness may exceed 1 mm. A camera according to the present disclosuremay be a miniaturized self-contained electronic device, e.g., aminiaturized point-and-shoot camera. The camera 1200 may have a lengthof about 8 mm to about 50 mm. In some examples, the camera 1200 may havea length from about 12 mm to about 42 mm. In some examples, the camera1200 may have a length not exceeding 42 mm. In some examples the camera1200 may be about 12 mm long. The camera 1200 may have a width of about8 mm to about 12 mm. In some examples, the camera 1200 may be about 9 mmwide. In some example, the camera 1200 may have a width not exceedingabout 10 mm. In some example, the camera 1200 may have a height of about8 mm to about 1.5 mm. In some examples, the camera 1200 may be about 9mm high. In some examples, the camera 1200 may have a height notexceeding about 14 mm. In some examples, the camera 1200 may weigh fromabout 5 grams to about 10 grams. In some examples the camera 1200 mayweigh be about 7 grams or less. In some examples, the camera 1200 mayhave a volume of about 6,000 cubic millimeters or less. In someexamples, the camera 1200 may be a waterproof camera. In some examples,the camera may include a compliant material, e.g., forming or coating atleast a portion of an exterior surface of the camera 1200. This mayprovide functionality (e.g., accessibility to buttons through awaterproof enclosure) and/or comfort to the user.

The electronic components may be connected to the one or more circuitboards (e.g., main PCB 1260, auxiliary circuit board 1264) andelectrical connection between the boards and/or components thereon maybe formed using known techniques. In some examples, circuitry may beprovided on a flexible circuit board, or a shaped circuit board, such asto optimize the use of space and enable packaging of the camera within asmall form factor. For example, a molded interconnect device 1266 may beused to provide connectivity between one or more electronic componentson the one or more boards. The electronic components may be stackedand/or arranged within the housing for optimal fit within a miniaturizedenclosure. For example, the main circuit board 1260 may be providedadjacent another component (e.g., the battery 1220) and attached theretovia an adhesive layer 1265. In some examples, the main PCB may supportIC chips on both sides of the board in which case the adhesive layer mayattach to packaging of the IC chips, a surface of a spacing structureprovided on the main PCB and/or a surface of the main PCB. In otherexamples, the main PCB and other circuit boards may be attached viaother conventional mechanical means, such as fasteners.

In some examples, the camera 1200 may be waterproof. The housing 1280may provide a waterproof enclosure for the internal electronics (e.g.,the image capture device 1210, battery 1220, receiver 1230, andcircuitry). After the internal components are assembled into the housing1280, a cover 1282 may be irremovably attached, such as via gluing orlaser welding, for example, in the illustrated example, the cover 1282is provided on the back side 1289 of the camera. In other examples, thecover may be located elsewhere, such as along the base 1283 or sidewall1287 of the camera. In some examples, the cover 1282 may be removable(e.g., for replacement of the battery and/or servicing of the internalelectronics) and may include one or more seals.

In some examples, the housing 1280 may include one or more openings foroptically, and/or acoustically coupling internal components to theambiance. In some examples, the camera may include a first opening 1284on a front side 1281 of the camera 1200. An optically transparent (ornearly optically transparent) material 1285 may be provided across thefirst opening 1284 thereby defining a camera window 1231 for the imagecapture device 1210. The camera window 1231 may be sealingly integratedwith the housing 1280, for example by an overmolding process in whichthe optically transparent material 1285 is overmolded with the plasticmaterial forming the housing 1280. The image capture device 1210 may bepositioned behind the camera window 1231 with the lens 1214 of the imagecapture device 1210 facing forward through the optically transparentmaterial 1285. In some examples, an alignment or orientation of theimage capture device 1210 may be adjustable.

A second opening 1286 may be provided along a side-wall 1287 of thehousing 1280. The second opening 1286 may be arranged to acousticallycouple the microphone 1268 with the ambiance. A substantiallyacoustically transparent material 1288 may be provided across the secondopening 1286 to serve as a microphone protector plug 1233 (e.g., toprotect the microphone from being soiled or damaged by water or debris)without substantially interfering with the operation of the microphone.The acoustically transparent material 1288 may be configured to preventor reduce water ingress through the second opening 1286. For example,the acoustically transparent material 1288 may comprise a waterimpermeable mesh. The mesh may be a micro-mesh sized with a mesh densityselected to prevent water from passing through the mesh. In someexamples, the mesh may include (e.g., formed of, or coated with) anhydrophobic material.

The microphone 1268 may be configured to detect sounds, such as audiblecommands, which may be used to control certain operations of the camera1200. In some examples, the camera 1200 may be configured to capture animage responsive to an audible command. In some examples, the audiblecommand may be a spoken word or it may be a non-speech sound such as theclick of teeth, the click of a tongue, or smack of lips. The camera 1200may detect the audible command (e.g., in the form of an audible sound)and perform an action, such as capture an image, transfer data, orothers.

In some examples, the camera 1200 may be configured to transfer datawirelessly to another electronic device, for example a base unit of thewireless power transfer system. For example, the camera 1200 maytransfer images captured by the image capture device for processingand/or storage elsewhere such as on the base unit and/or anothercomputing device (e.g., personal computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet,or a remote storage device such as cloud storage). Images captured withthe camera 1200 may be processed (e.g., batch processed) by the othercomputing device, as will be further described. Data may be transferredfrom the camera 1200 to the other electronic device (e.g., base unit, apersonal computing device, the cloud) via a separate wirelesscommunication device (e.g., Wi-Fi or Bluetooth enabled device) or viathe receiver/transmitter of the camera 1200, which in such instanceswould be configured to also transmit signals in addition to receivingsignals (e.g., power signals). In other words, in some examples, thereceiver 1230 may in some examples be also configured as a transmittersuch that the receiver 1230 is operable in transmit mode as well asreceive mode. In other examples, a separate transmitter (e.g., separatetransmitting coil that includes a magnetic core and conductive windings)may alternatively or additionally be provided.

The camera 1200 may be a wearable camera. In this regard the camera 1200may be configured to be attached to a wearable article, such as eyewear(e.g., as shown in FIG. 11). In some examples, the camera may beremovably attached to a wearable article. That is, the camera may beattachable to the wearable article (e.g., eyewear), detachable from thewearable article (e.g., eyewear), and may be further configured to bemovable on the wearable article while attached thereto. In someexamples, the wearable article may be any article worn by a user, suchas by way of example only, a ring, a band (e.g., armband, wrist band,etc.), a bracelet, a necklace, a hat or other headgear, a belt, a pursestrap, a holster, or others. The term eyewear includes all types ofeyewear, including and without limitation eyeglasses, safety and sportseyewear such as goggles, or any other type of aesthetic, prescription,or safety eyewear. In some examples, the camera 1200 may be configuredto be movably attached to a wearable article, such as eyewear, forexample via a guide 1290 configured to engage a corresponding guide onthe eyewear, e.g., track 6 in FIG. 6. The guide 1290 on the camera maybe configured to slidably engage the guide on the eyewear. In someexamples, the guide on the eyewear may be provided on the eyewear frame,e.g., on a temple of the eyewear. The camera 1200 may be configured tobe attachable, detachable, and re-attachable to the eyewear frame. Insome examples, the guide 1290 may be configured for magneticallyattaching the camera 1200 to the eyewear. In this regard, one or moremagnets may be embedded in the guide 1290. The guide 1290 may beprovided along a bottom side 1283 (also referred to as a base 1283) ofthe camera 1200. The guide 1290 may be implemented as a protrusion (alsoreferred to as male rail or simply rail) which is configured for acooperating sliding fit with a groove (also referred to as female trackor simply track) on the eyewear. The one or more magnets may be providedon the protrusion or at other location(s) along the base 1283. Theeyewear may include a metallic material (e.g., along a temple of theeyewear) for magnetically attracting the one or more magnets on thecamera. The camera may be configured to couple to the eyewear inaccordance with any of the examples described in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/816,995, filed Aug. 3, 2015, and titled “Wearable CameraSystems and Apparatus and Method for Attaching Camera. Systems or OtherElectronic Device to Wearable Article,” which application isincorporated herein in its entirety for any purpose.

As described, the camera 1200 may be configured to receive powerwirelessly, e.g., from a base unit of a wireless power system. Anexample of a wireless power transfer system is illustrated and describedfurther with reference to FIGS. 5-11.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a system for wirelessly powering one ormore electronic devices according to some examples of the presentdisclosure. The system 10 includes a base unit 100 and one or moreelectronic devices 200. The base unit 100 is configured to wirelesslyprovide power to one or more of the electronic devices 200, which may beseparated from the base unit by a distance. The base unit 100 isconfigured to provide power wirelessly to an electronic device 200 whilethe electronic device remains within a threshold distance (e.g., acharging range or charging zone 106) of the base unit 100. The base unit100 may be configured to selectively transmit power wirelessly to anynumber of electronic devices (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10although a greater number than 10 devices may be charged in someexamples) detected to be within a proximity (e.g., within the chargingrange) of the base unit 100. Although the electronic device 200 maytypically be charged (e.g., coupled to the base unit for charging) whilebeing distance-separated from the base unit 100, it is envisioned andwithin the scope of this disclosure that the base unit 100 may operateto provide power wirelessly to an electronic device 200 when theelectronic device 200 is adjacent to or in contact with the base unit100.

The base unit 100 includes a transmitter 110, a battery 120, and acontroller 130. The transmitter 110 includes at least one transmittingcoil 112 (interchangeably referred to as Tx coil). The transmitting coil112 may include a magnetic core with conductive windings. The windingsmay include copper wire (also referred to as copper windings). In someexamples, the copper wire may be monolithic copper wire (e.g.,single-strand wire). In some examples, the copper wire may bemulti-strand copper wire (e.g., Litz wire), which may reduce resistivitydue to skin effect in some examples, which may allow for higher transmitpower because resistive losses may be lower. In some examples, themagnetic core may be a ferrite core (interchangeably referred to asferrite rod). The ferrite core may comprise a medium permeabilityferrite, for example 78 material supplied by Fair-Rite Corporation. Insome examples, the ferrite core may comprise a high permeabilitymaterial, such as Vitroperm 500F supplied by Vacuumschmelze in Germany.Ferrite cores comprising other ferrite materials may be used. In someexamples, the ferrite may have a medium permeability of micro-i (μ) ofabout 2300. In some examples, the ferrite may have permeability ofmicro-i (μ) ranging from about 200 to about 5000. In some examples,different magnetic material may be used for the magnetic core.Generally, transmitting coils described herein may utilize magneticcores which may in some examples shape the field provided by thetransmitting coil, as the field lines preferentially go through themagnetic core, in this manner, partially guided flux may be used where aportion of the flux is guided by the magnetic core.

The transmitting coil 112 is configured to inductively couple to areceiving coil 212 in the electronic device 200. In some examples, thetransmitter 110 may be additionally configured as a receiver and maythus be interchangeably referred to as transmitter/receiver. Forexample, the transmitting coil of the transmitter/receiver mayadditionally be configured as a receiving coil. In some examples, thetransmitter/receiver may additionally include a receiving coil. In yetfurther examples, the base unit may include a separate receiver 140comprising a receiving coil. The transmitter/receiver or separatereceiver of the base unit may be configured to wirelessly receive power(102) and/or data (104) as will be further described below.

In some examples, the transmitter 110 may include a single transmittingcoil 112. The transmitting coil 112 may be placed in an optimal locationand/or orientation to provide an optimum charging zone 106. In someexamples, the transmitting coil may be placed in a location within thebase unit selected to provide a large number of charging opportunitiesduring a typical use of the device. For example, the transmitting coil112 may be placed near a side of the base unit which most frequentlycomes in proximity to an electronic device (e.g., a top side of a baseunit implemented as a mobile phone case as illustrated in the example inFIG. 9).

In some examples, the transmitter 110 includes a plurality oftransmitting coils 112. The transmitting coils 112 may be arranged invirtually any pattern. For example, the base unit may include a pair ofcoils which are angled to one another. In some examples, the coils maybe arranged at angles smaller than 90 degrees, for example rangingbetween 15-75 degrees. In some examples, the coils may be arranged at 45degrees relative to one another. Other combinations and arrangements maybe used, examples of some of which will be further described below.

In some examples, the transmitting coils may be arranged to provide anearly omnidirectional charging zone 106 (also referred to as chargingsphere or hotspot). The charging zone 106 of the base unit may bedefined by a three dimensional space around the base unit which extendsa threshold distance from the base unit in all three directions (e.g.,the x, y, and z directions). Although a three dimensions (3D) spacecorresponding to a charging range of the base unit may be referred toherein as a sphere, it will be understood that the three dimensions (3D)space corresponding to a charging range need not be strictly sphericalin shape. In some examples, the charging sphere may be an ellipsoid or adifferent shape.

Efficiency of wireless power transfer within the charging zone 106 maybe variable, for example, depending on a particular combination oftransmitting and receiving coils and/or a particular arrangement of thecoils or relative arrangements of the coils in the base unit andelectronic device(s). The one or more transmitting coils 112 may bearranged within a housing of the base unit in a manner which improvesthe omni-directionality of the charging zone 106 and/or improves theefficiency of power transmission within the zone 106. In some examples,one or more transmitting coils 112 may be arranged within the housing ina manner which increases the opportunities for charging during typicaluse of the base unit. For example, the transmitting coil(s) may extend,at least partially, along one or more sides of the base unit which aremost brought near an electronic device (e.g., the top or sides of amobile phone case base unit which may frequently be moved in proximitywith a wearable electronic device such as eyewear camera or a digitalwrist watch). In some examples, the base unit may be placed on a surface(e.g., a table or desk) during typical use and electronic devices may beplaced around the base unit. In such examples, the transmitting coil(s)may be arranged along a perimeter of the base unit housing.

In some examples, the base unit may be attached to a mobile phone via anattachment mechanism such as adhesive attachment, an elastic attachment,a spring clamp, suction cup(s), mechanical pressure, or others. In someexamples, the base unit may be enclosed or embedded in an enclosure(also referred to as housing), which may have a generally planar shape(e.g., a rectangular plate). An attachment mechanism may be coupled tothe housing such that the base unit may be removably attached to amobile phone, a table, or other communication device. In an example, theattachment mechanism may be a biasing member, such as a clip, which isconfigured to bias the mobile phone towards the base unit in the formof, by way of example only, a rectangular plate. For example, a clip maybe provided proximate a side of the base unit and the base unit may beattached to (e.g., clipped to) the mobile phone via the clip in a mannersimilar to attaching paper or a notebook/notepad to a clip board. Insome examples, the base unit may be adhesively or elastically attachedto the communication device and/or to a case of the communicationdevice.

In further examples, the base unit may be separate from thecommunication device. In yet further examples, the base unit may beincorporated into (e.g., integrated into) the communication device. Forexample, the transmitter 110 may be integrated with other components ofa typical mobile phone. The controller 130 may be a separate IC in themobile phone or its functionality may be incorporated into the processorand/or other circuitry of the mobile phone. Typical mobile phonesinclude a rechargeable battery which may also function as the battery120 of the base unit. In this manner, a mobile phone may be configuredto provide power wirelessly to electronic devices, such as separatedelectronic wearable devices.

As previously noted, the base unit 100 may include a battery 120. Thebattery 120 may be a rechargeable battery, such as a Nickel-MetalHydride (NiMH), a Lithium ion (Li-ion), or a Lithium ion polymer (Li-ionpolymer) battery. The battery 120 of the base unit 100 may includelarger amount of energy capacity as compared to a battery of theelectronic device 200. That is, the battery 120 may store more power,and in some examples, significantly more power than a battery onboardthe electronic device (e.g., the battery 1220 of wearable camera 1200).The electronic device, which may be a wearable device, may have asignificantly smaller form factor than the base unit 100 andaccordingly, may be able to accommodate a much smaller battery. Periodicwireless transfer of power from the base unit to the electronic device(e.g., when the electronic device is within the charging range of thebase unit) may enable a small form factor suitable for a wearableelectronic device without significant sacrifice in performance. Thebattery 120 may be coupled to other components to receive power. Forexample, the battery 120 may be coupled to an energy generator 150. Theenergy generator 150 may include an energy harvesting device which mayprovide harvested energy to the battery for storage and use in chargingthe electronic device(s). Energy harvesting devices may include, but notbe limited to, kinetic-energy harvesting devices, solar cells,thermoelectric generators, or radio-frequency harvesting devices. Insome examples, the battery 120 may be coupled to an input/outputconnector 180 such as a universal serial bus (USB) port. It will beunderstood that the term USB port herein includes any type of USBinterface currently known or later developed, for example mini and microUSB type interfaces. Other types of connectors, currently known or laterdeveloped, may additionally or alternatively be used. The I/O connector180 (e.g., USB port) may be used to connect the base unit 100 to anexternal device, for example an external power source or a computingdevice (e.g., a personal computer, laptop, tablet, or a mobile phone).

The transmitter 110 is operatively coupled to the battery 120 toselectively receive power from the battery and wirelessly transmit thepower to the electronic device 200. As described herein, in someexamples, the transmitter may combine the functionality of transmitterand receiver. In such examples, the transmitter may also be configuredto wirelessly receive power from an external power source. It will beunderstood that during transmission, power may be wirelessly broadcastby the transmitter and may be received by any receiving devices withinproximity (e.g., within the broadcast distance of the transmitter).

The transmitter 110 may be weakly-coupled to a receiver in theelectronic device 200 in some examples. There may not be a tightcoupling between the transmitter 110 and the receiver in the electronicdevice 200. Highly resonant coupling may be considered tight coupling.The weak (or loose) coupling may allow for power transmission over adistance (e.g. from a base unit in or on a mobile phone to a wearabledevice on eyewear or from a base unit placed on a surface to a wearabledevice placed on the surface in a neighborhood of, but not on, the baseunit). So, for example, the transmitter 110 may be distance separatedfrom the receiver. The distance may be greater than 1 mm in someexamples, greater than 10 mm in some examples, greater than 100 mm insome examples, and greater than 1000 mm in some examples. Otherdistances may be used in other examples, and power may be transferredover these distances.

The transmitter 110 and the receiver in the electronic device 200 mayinclude impedance matching circuits each having an inductance,capacitance, and resistance. The impedance matching circuits mayfunction to adjust impedance of the transmitter 110 to better matchimpedance of a receiver under normal expected loads, although inexamples described herein the transmitter and receiver may have transmitand receive coils, respectively, with different sizes and/or othercharacteristics such that the impedance of the receiver and transmittermay not be matched by the impedance matching circuits, but the impedancematching circuits may reduce a difference in impedance of thetransmitter and receiver. The transmitter 110 may generally provide awireless power signal which may be provided at a body-safe frequency,e.g. less than 500 kHz in some examples, less than 300 kHz in someexamples, less than 200 kHz in some examples, 125 kHz in some examples,less than 100 kHz in some examples, although other frequencies may beused.

Transmission/broadcasting of power may be selective in that a controllercontrols when power is being broadcast. The base unit may include acontroller 130 coupled to the battery 120 and transmitter 110. Thecontroller 130 may be configured to cause the transmitter 110 toselectively transmit power, as will be further described. A chargercircuit may be connected to the battery 120 to protect the battery fromovercharging. The charger circuit may monitor a level of charge in thebattery 120 and tum off charging when it detects that the battery 120 isfully charged. The functionality of the charger circuit may, in someexamples, be incorporated within the controller 130 or it may be aseparated circuit (e.g., separate IC chip).

In some examples, the base unit may include a memory 160. The memory 160may be coupled to the transmitter 110 and/or any additional transmittersand/or receivers (e.g., receiver 140) for storage of data transmitted toand from the base unit 100. For example, the base unit 100 may beconfigured to communicate data wirelessly to and from the electronicdevice 200, e.g., receive images acquired with an electronic device inthe form of a wearable camera, or transmit executable instructions,configuration data, or other data to the electronic device. The baseunit 100 may include larger amount of memory as compared to theelectronic device 200. That is, the memory 160 may be configured tostore more data, and in some examples, significantly more data than amemory device onboard the electronic device (e.g., the memory 1240 ofwearable camera 1200). The electronic device, which may be a wearabledevice, may have a significantly smaller form factor than the base unitand accordingly, may be able to accommodate a much smaller memorydevice. Periodic wireless transfer of data from the electronic device tothe base unit (e.g., when the electronic device is within range of thebase unit such as during charging) may enable a small form factorsuitable for a wearable electronic device without significant sacrificein performance. The base unit may include one or more sensors 170, whichmay be operatively coupled to the controller. A sensor 170 may detect astatus of the base unit such that the transmitter may provide powerselectively and/or adjustably under control from controller 130.

The electronic device 200 may be configured to provide virtually anyfunctionality, for example an electronic device configured as a camera(e.g., camera 1200). In this regard, the electronic device 200 mayinclude circuitry associated with wireless charging. For example, theelectronic device 200 may include a receiving which may include at leastone receiving coil 212. As described, the receiving coil 212 may becoupled to a rechargeable power cell onboard the electronic device 200.Frequent charging in a manner that is non-invasive or minimally invasiveto the user during typical use of the electronic device may be achievedvia wireless coupling between the receiving and transmitting coils inaccordance with the examples herein. In some examples, the electronicdevice may be a wearable electronic device, which may interchangeably bereferred to herein as electronic wearable devices (e.g., wearablecamera). The electronic device may have a sufficiently small form factorto make it easily portable by a user. The electronic device 200 may beattachable to clothing or an accessory worn by the user, for exampleeyewear. For example, the electronic device 200 may be attached toeyewear using a guide 6 (e.g., track) incorporated in the eyewear, e.g.,as illustrated in FIG. 6 (only a portion of eyewear, namely the temple,is illustrated so as not to clutter the drawing). FIG. 6 shows examplesof electronic devices 200 which may be configured to receive powerwirelessly in accordance with the present disclosure. In some examples,the electronic device 200 may be a miniaturized camera system which may,in some examples, be attached to eyewear. In other examples, theelectronic device may be any other type of an electronic system attachedto eyewear, such as an image display system, an air quality sensor, aUV/HEV sensor, a pedometer, a night light, a blue tooth enabledcommunication device such as blue tooth headset, a hearing aid or anaudio system. In some examples, the electronic device may be wornelsewhere on the body, for example around the wrist (e.g., an electronicwatch or a biometric device, such as a pedometer). The electronic device200 may be another type of electronic device other than the specificexamples illustrated. The electronic device 200 may be virtually anyMiniaturized electronic device, for example and without limitation acamera, image capture device, IR camera, still camera, video camera,image sensor, repeater, resonator, sensor, sound amplifier, directionalmicrophone, eyewear supporting an electronic component, spectrometer,directional microphone, microphone, camera system, infrared visionsystem, night vision aid, night light, illumination system, sensor,pedometer, wireless cell phone, mobile phone, wireless communicationsystem, projector, laser, holographic device, holographic system,display, radio, GPS, data storage, memory storage, power source,speaker, fall detector, alertness monitor, geo-location, pulsedetection, gaming, eye tracking, pupil monitoring, alarm, CO sensor, COdetector, CO2 sensor, CO2 detector, air particulate sensor, airparticulate meter, UV sensor, UV meter, IR sensor IR meter, thermalsensor, thermal meter, poor air sensor, poor air monitor, bad breathsensor, bad breath monitor, alcohol sensor, alcohol monitor, motionsensor, motion monitor, thermometer, smoke sensor, smoke detector, pillreminder, audio playback device, audio recorder, speaker, acousticamplification device, acoustic canceling device, hearing aid, assistedhearing assisted device, informational earbuds, smart earbuds, smartear-wearables, video playback device, video recorder device, imagesensor, fall detector, alertness sensor, alertness monitor, informationalert monitor, health sensor, health monitor, fitness sensor, fitnessmonitor, physiology sensor, physiology monitor, mood sensor, moodmonitor, stress monitor, pedometer, motion detector, geo-location, pulsedetection, wireless communication device, gaming device, eyewearcomprising an electronic component, augmented reality system, virtualreality system, eye tracking device, pupil sensor, pupil monitor,automated reminder, light, alarm, cell phone device, phone, mobilecommunication device, poor air quality alert device, sleep detector,doziness detector, alcohol detector, thermometer, refractive errormeasurement device, wave front measurement device, aberrometer, GPSsystem, smoke detector, pill reminder, speaker, kinetic energy source,microphone, projector, virtual keyboard, face recognition device, voicerecognition device, sound recognition system, radioactive detector,radiation detector, radon detector, moisture detector, humiditydetector, atmospheric pressure indicator, loudness indicator, noiseindicator, acoustic sensor, range finder, laser system, topographysensor, motor, micro motor, nano motor, switch, battery, dynamo, thermalpower source, fuel cell, solar cell, kinetic energy source, thermoelectric power source, smart band, smart watch, smart earring, smartnecklace, smart clothing, smart belt, smart ring, smart bra, smartshoes, smart footwear, smart gloves, smart hat, smart headwear, smarteyewear, and other such smart devices. In some examples, the electronicdevice 200 may be a smart device. In some examples, the electronicdevice 200 may be a micro wearable device or an implanted device.

The electronic device 200 may include a receiver (e.g., Rx coil 212)configured to inductively couple to the transmitter (e.g. Tx coil 112)of the base unit 100. The receiver may be configured to automaticallyreceive power from the base unit when the electronic device and thus thereceiver is within proximity of the base unit (e.g., when the electronicdevice is a predetermined distance, or within a charging range, from thebase unit). The electronic device 200 may store excess power in a powercell onboard the electronic device. The power cell onboard theelectronic device may be significantly smaller than the battery of thebase unit. Frequent recharging of the power cell may be effected byvirtue of the electronic device frequently coming within proximity ofthe base unit during normal use. For example, in the case of a wearableelectronic device coupled to eyewear and a base unit in the form of acell phone case, during normal use, the cell phone may be frequentlybrought to proximity of the user's head to conduct phone calls duringwhich times recharging of the power cell onboard the wearable electronicdevice may be achieved. In some examples, in which the wearableelectronic device comprises an electronic watch or biometric sensorcoupled to a wrist band or an arm band, the wearable electronic devicemay be frequently recharged by virtue of the user reaching for theircellphone and the base unit in the form of a cell phone case comingwithin proximity to the wearable electronic device. In some examples,the electronic device may include an energy harvesting system.

In some examples, the electronic device 200 may not include a batteryand may instead be directly powered by wireless power received from thebase unit 100. In some examples, the electronic device 200 may include acapacitor (e.g., a supercapacitor or an ultracapacitor) operativelycoupled to the Rx coil 212.

Typically in existing systems which apply wireless power transfer,transmitting and receiving coils may have the same or substantially thesame coil ratios. However, given the smaller form factor of miniaturizedelectronic devices according to the present disclosure, suchimplementation may not be practical. In some examples herein, thereceiving coil may be significantly smaller than the transmitting coils,e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 7. In some examples, the Tx coil 112 mayhave a dimension (e.g., a length of the wire forming the windings 116, adiameter of the wire forming the windings 116, a diameter of the coil112, a number of windings 116, a length of the core 117, a diameter ofthe core 117, a surface area of the core 117) which is greater, forexample twice or more, than a respective dimension of the Rx coil 212(e.g., a length of the wire forming the windings 216, a diameter of thecoil 212, a number of windings 216, a length of the core 217, a surfacearea of the core 217). In some examples, a dimension of the Tx coil 112may be two times or greater, five times or greater, 10 times or greater,20 times or greater, or 50 times or greater than a respective dimensionof the Rx coil 212. In some examples, a dimension of the Tx coil 112 maybe up to 100 times a respective dimension of the Rx coil 212. Forexample, the receiving coil 212 (Rx coil) may comprise conductive wirehaving wire diameter of about 0.2 mm. The wire may be a single strandwire. The Rx coil in this example may have a diameter of about 2.4 mmand a length of about 13 mm. The Rx coil may include a ferrite rodhaving a diameter of about 1.5 mm and a length of about 15 mm. Thenumber of windings in the Rx coil may be, by way of example only,approximately 130 windings. The transmitting coil 112 (Tx coil) maycomprise a conductive wire having a wire diameter of about 1.7 mm. Thewire may be a multi-strand wire. The Tx coil in this example may have adiameter of about 14.5 mm and a length of about 67 mm. The Tx coil mayinclude a ferrite rod having a diameter of about 8 mm and a length ofabout 68 mm. Approximately 74 windings may be used for the Tx coil.Other combinations may be used for the Tx and Rx coils in otherexamples, e.g., to optimize power transfer efficiency even at distancesin excess of approximately 30 cm or more. In some examples, the transferdistance may exceed 12 inches. In some examples herein, the Tx and Rxcoils may not be impedance matched, as may be typical in conventionalwireless power transfer systems. Thus, in some examples, the Tx and Rxcoils of the base unit and electronic device, respectively, may bereferred to as being loosely-coupled. According to some examples, thebase unit is configured for low Q factor wireless power transfer. Forexample, the base unit may be configured for wireless power transfer atQ factors less than 500 in some examples, less than 250 in someexamples, less than 100 in some examples, less than 80 in some examples,less than 60 in some examples, and other Q factors may be used. Whileimpedance matching is not required, examples in which the coils are atleast partially impedance matched are also envisioned and within thescope of this disclosure. While the Tx and Rx coils in wireless powerstransfer systems described herein may be typically loosely coupled, thepresent disclosure does not exclude examples in which the Tx and Rxcoils are impedance matched.

The receiving coil (e.g., Rx coil 212) may include conductive windings,for example copper windings. Conductive materials other than copper maybe used. In some examples, the windings may include monolithic (e.g.,single-strand.) or multi-strand wire. In some examples, the core may bea magnetic core which includes a magnetic material such as ferrite. Thecore may be shaped in the form of a rod. The Rx coil may have adimension that is smaller than a dimension of the Tx coil, for example adiameter, a length, a surface area, and/or a mass of the core (e.g.,rod) may be smaller than a diameter, a length, a surface area, and/or amass of the core (e.g., rod) of the Tx coil. In some examples, themagnetic core (e.g., ferrite rod) of the Tx coil may have a surface areathat is two times greater or more than a surface area of the magneticcore (e.g., ferrite rod) of the Rx coil. In some examples, the Tx coilmay include a larger number of windings and/or a greater length of wirein the windings when unwound than the number or length of wire of thewindings of the Rx coil. In some examples, the length of unwound wire ofthe Tx coil may be at least two times the length of unwound wire of theRx coil.

in some examples, an Rx coil 212 may have a length from about 10 mm toabout 90 mm and a radius from about 1 mm to about 15 min. In oneexample, the performance of an Rx coil 212 having a ferrite rod 20 mm inlength and 2.5 mm in diameter with 150 conductive windings woundthereupon was simulated with a Tx coil 112 configured to broadcast powerat frequency of about 125 KHz. The Tx coil 112 included a ferrite rodhaving a length of approximately 67.5 mm and a diameter of approximately12 mm. Up to 20% transmission efficiency was obtained in the alignedorientation at distances of up to 200 min between the coils. Someimprovement was observed in the performance when the coils were arrangedin a parallel orientation, in which the Rx coil continued to receivetransmitted power until a distance of about 300 mm Examples of awireless energy transfer system according to the present disclosure werecompared with efficiency achievable by a system configured in accordancewith the Qi 1.0 standard. The size of the Tx coil in one simulatedsystem was 52 mm×52 mm×5.6 mm and a size of one Rx coil simulated was48.2 mm×32.2 mm×1.1 mm, and load impedance was 1 KOhm.

Referring now also to FIGS. 8-9, a base unit 300, which may beincorporated in a mobile phone case form factor as shown in FIGS. 9A and9B, will be described. The base unit 300 may include some or all of thecomponents of base unit 100 described above with reference to FIG. 5.For example, the base unit 300 may include a transmitting coil 312 (alsoreferred to as Tx coil). The transmitting coil 312 is coupled to anelectronics package 305, which includes circuitry configured to performthe functions of a base unit in accordance with the present disclosure,including selectively and/or adjustably providing wireless power to oneor more electronic devices. In some examples, the electronic device maybe an electronic device which is separated from the base unit (e.g.,camera 1200). In some examples, the electronic device may be the mobilephone 20, to which the base unit 300 in the form of a case is attached.

The base unit 300 may provide a mobile wireless hotspot (e.g., chargingsphere 106) for wirelessly charging electronic devices that are placedor come into proximity of the base unit (e.g., within the chargingsphere). As will be appreciated, the base unit 300 when implemented inthe form of a mobile phone case may be attached to a mobile phone andcarried by the user, thus making the hotspot of wireless power mobileand available to electronic devices wherever the user goes. In examples,the base unit may be integrated with the mobile phone. The hotspot ofwireless power by virtue of being connected to the user's mobile phone,Which the user often or always carries with him or her, thusadvantageously travels with the user. As will be further appreciated,opportunities for recharging the power cell on an electronic device wornby the user are frequent during the normal use of the mobile phone,which by virtue of being use may frequently be brought into the vicinityof wearable devices (e.g., eyewear devices when the user is making phonecalls, wrist worn devices when the user is browsing or using otherfunction of the mobile phone).

The Tx coil 312 and electronics (e.g., electronics package 305) may beenclosed in a housing 315. The housing 315 may have a portable formfactor. In this example, the housing is implemented in the form of anattachment member configured to be attached to a communication devicesuch as a mobile phone (e.g., a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smartphone, a two-way radio, a walkie-talkie, and the like), a tablet or thelike. In this regard, the housing 315 of the base unit may beimplemented as a mobile phone/tablet case or cover. The housing 315 mayinclude features for mechanically engaging the communication device(e.g., mobile phone 20). In further examples, the housing of the baseunit may be implemented as an attachment member adapted to be attachedto an accessory, such as a handbag, a belt, or others. Other formfactors may be used. The base unit 300 may power an electronic deviceother than the communication device to which it is connected, forexample the camera 1200.

In the examples in FIGS. 8 and 9, the base unit 300 includes atransmitting coil 312. The transmitting coil 312 includes a magneticcore 317 with conductive windings 316. The core 317 may be made of aferromagnetic material (e.g., ferrite), a magnetic metal, or alloys orcombinations thereof, collectively referred to herein as magneticmaterial. For example, a magnetic material such as ferrite and variousalloys of iron and nickel may be used. The coil 312 includes conductivewindings 316 provided around the core 317. It will be understood in thecontext of this disclosure that the windings 316 may be, but need notbe, provided directly on the core 317. In other words, the windings 316may be spaced from the core material which may be placed within a spacedefined by the windings 316. In some examples, improved performance maybe achieved by the windings being wound directly onto the core as in thepresent example.

The core 317 may be shaped as an elongate member and may have virtuallyany cross section, e.g., rectangular or circular cross section. Anelongate core may interchangeably be referred to as a rod 314, e.g., acylindrical or rectangular rod. The term rod may be used to refer to anelongate core in accordance with the present application, regardless ofthe particular cross sectional shape of the core. The core may include asingle rod or any number of discrete rods (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. 7. 8, 9,10 or any other number greater than 10) arranged in patterns as will bedescribed. In the examples in FIGS. 8 and 9, without limitation, thetransmitting coil comprises a single cylindrical rod positioned at leastpartially along a first side (e.g., top side 321) of the housing 315. Inother examples, one or more coils may alternatively or additionally bepositioned along other sides, e.g., a bottom side 323, the left side 325and/or right sides 327 of the housing 315.

The electronics package 305 (interchangeably referred to as electronicsor circuitry) may be embedded in the housing. 315 or provided behind acover 307. In some examples, the cover 307 may be removable. In someexamples, it may be advantageous to replace the battery 320. In suchexamples, the battery 320 may be a separable component from theremaining circuitry. The battery 320 may be accessed by removing thecover 307. In some examples, the electronics package 305 may include abattery for storing energy from an external power source. In someexamples, the base unit 300 may alternatively or additionally receivepower from the mobile phone when powering the distance separatedelectronic device. In some examples, the base unit may not require abattery, and even smaller form factors may thus be achieved.

The base unit may be provided with one or more I/O devices 380. I/Odevices may be used to receive and/or transmit power and/or data via awired connection between the base unit and another device. For example,the base unit may include an I/O device 380 in the form of a USBconnector. The I/O device 380 (e.g., USB connector) may include a firstconnection side 382 (e.g., a female port) for coupling the base unit toexternal devices (e.g., a power source such as the power grid and/oranother electronic device). The I/O device 380 may include a secondconnection side 384 (e.g., a male connector) for coupling the base unitto the mobile phone, e.g., via a USB port of the mobile phone. One ormore of the signal lines 385 of the I/O device may be coupled to power,ground, and/or data lines in the base unit circuitry. For example, if aUST connector with 5 lines is used, 2 lines may be used for data, 2lines may be used for power, and 1 line may be coupled to ground or usedfor redundancy. The signal lines 385 of the first and second connectionsides may be coupled to the base unit circuitry via a connector circuit386 (e.g., USB chip). It will be understood that any other type ofconnectors may be used, for example, and without limitation, an APPLELightning connector.

The base unit 300 may include a controller 330. The controller 330 mayinclude functionality for controlling operations of the base unit 300,for example controlling detection of electronic devices (e.g., a camera1200) within proximity, selective transmission of wireless power upondetection of an electronic device, determination of status of the baseunit, and selection of transmission mode depending on the status of thebase unit. These functions may be implemented in computer readable mediaor hardwired into an ASIC or other processing hardware. The controller330 may interchangeably be referred to as base unit processor.

The base unit may include one or more memory devices 360. The base unitmay include volatile memory 362 (e.g., RAM) and non-volatile memory 364(e.g., EEPROM, flash or other persistent electronic storage). The baseunit may be configured to receive data (e.g. user data, configurationdata) through wired or wireless connection with external electronicdevices and may store the data on board the base unit (e.g., in one ormore of the memory devices 360). The base unit may be configured totransmit data stored onboard the base unit to external electronicdevices as may be desired. In addition to user data, the memory devicesmay store executable instructions which, when executed by a processor(e.g., processor 360), cause the base unit to perform functionsdescribed herein.

The base unit 300 may include a charger circuit 332, which may beconfigured to protect the battery 320 from overcharging. The chargercircuit may be a separate chip or may be integrated within thecontroller 330. The base unit may include a separatetransmitter/receiver circuitry 340 in addition to the Tx coil 312 usedfor wireless power transmission. The transmitter/receiver circuitry 340may include a receiving/transmitting coil 342, e.g., an RF coil. Thetransmitter/receiver circuitry 340 may further include driver circuitry344 for transmission (e.g., RF driver circuit) and sense circuitry 346for reception of signals (e.g., RF sensing circuit). The base unit 300may include additional circuitry for wireless communication (e.g.,communication circuit 388). The communication circuit 388 may includecircuitry configured for Bluetooth or WiFi communication. In someexamples, the base unit 300 may include one or more sensor 370 and/orone or more energy generators 350 as described herein. Additionalcircuitry providing additional functionality may be included. Forexample, the base unit 300 may include an image processor for processingand/or enhancement of images received from a wearable camera (e.g.,eyewear camera). The image processing functionality may be provided in aseparate IC (e.g., a DaVinci chip set) or it may be incorporated in aprocessor which implements the functions of controller 330.

In some examples, the housing may be configured to be mechanicallycoupled to a communication device, such as a mobile phone. For example,the housing 315 may be configured to provide the functionality of amobile phone case. The housing 315 may have a shape corresponding to ashape of a communication device (e.g., a mobile phone). For example, thehousing 315 may be generally rectangular in shape and may be sized toreceive, at least partially, or enclose, at least partially, thecommunication device. In some examples, the housing 315 may beconfigured to cover only one side of the communication device. In someexamples, the housing 315 may cover at least partially two or more sidesof the communication device. The housing 315 may include a receptacle309 configured to receive and/or retain the mobile phone at leastpartially therein. The receptacle 309 may be on a front side of thehousing 315. The base unit electronics may be provided proximate anopposite side of the receptacle. The coils may be placed around theperimeter of the housing, e.g. along any of the top, bottom, or left andright sides.

In some examples, the transmitter includes a plurality of discrete Txcoils (for example 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 coils), each having amagnetic core with conductive windings wound thereon. At least some ofthe Tx coils may be at an angle to one another, for example at 20degrees or more, 30 degrees or more, 45 degrees or more, 75 degrees ormore relative to one another. In some examples, the Tx coils may begenerally perpendicular to one another. In some examples, two or more Txcoils may be generally parallel to one another. In some examples, two ormore Tx coils may be disposed along a same edge of the housing. Adiameter o of the Tx coils may range from about 5 mm to about 20 mm. Insome examples, the diameter o of the Tx coils may be between 8 mm to 15mm. In some examples, the diameter o of the Tx coils may be 9 mm, 10 mm,11 mm, 12 mm, 13 mm, or 14 mm. Different diameters for the coils may beused. In some examples, the magnetic core may be an elongate cylindricalrod made from a magnetic material. In some examples, the rods may bearranged around the perimeter of the base unit's housing. In someexamples, the rods may extend substantially along the full length of atop side, bottom side, left and/or right sides of the housing. Lengths(l), widths (w), and thicknesses (t) of the housing may vary dependingon dimensions of the communication device, which the housing isconfigured to attach to. In some examples, the housing may range fromabout 150 mm-180 mm, 80-95 mm, and 15-25 mm, respectively. Otherlengths, widths, and thicknesses may be used, e.g., to accommodate agiven communication device (e.g. smartphone) and/or accommodate aparticular coil size. In some examples, the housing may be configured toattach to an IPHONE brand mobile phone or a SAMSUNG brand mobile phone.For example, a housing configured to attach to an IPHONE 6 mobile phonemay be about 160 mm long, about 84 mm wide, and about 19 mm thick andaccommodate Tx coils having a diameter of about 9 mm. In anotherexample, the housing may have a length of about 165 mm, a width of about94 mm, and a thickness of about 21 mm accommodating a coil having adiameter of about 14 mm. In some examples, the housing may be configuredto attach to an IPAD brand tablet or a SAMSUNG brand tablet. In someexamples, the housing may be configured to engage one, two, three and/orall of the perimeter sides of the communication device. In someexamples, the base unit housing may be configured to cover or partiallycover one or more of the communication devices' major sides (e.g., thedisplay side or the back side) of the communication device.

FIG. 10 shows a flow diagram of a process in accordance with the presentdisclosure. The process 1000 may include placing a base unit (e.g., baseunit 100) proximate a camera (e.g., camera 1200), as show in block 1005.The camera may be a wearable camera, which may be attached to eyewear 4,for example via a guide on the camera engaging a track on the eyewear 4,as illustrated in FIG. 11. The base unit (e.g., base unit 100) may beattached to a communication device, such as a mobile phone. The baseunit may include a transmitting coil configured to inductively couplewith a receiving coil in the camera to wirelessly transmit power to thewearable camera. The process 1000 may further include detecting thewearable camera with the base unit. For example, the base unit maydetect a proximity signal of the camera, as shown in block 1010. In someexamples, the base unit may alternatively or additionally detect acharge status signal of the camera, as further shown in block 1010. Thecharge status signal may be indicative of a charge status of thecamera's power cell (e.g., battery 1220 of camera 1200). The process1000 may also include wirelessly transmitting power from the base unitto the camera, as shown in block 1015. The wireless transfer of powermay continue while the camera remains within a charging range of thebase unit (e.g., based on a detected proximity signal) or until a chargestate signal of the camera corresponds to a fully charged state of thecamera. In some examples, the base unit may be configured to broadcastwireless power only if a charge status of an electronic device inproximity indicates a less than full charge of the electronic device'sonboard battery. To that end, the base unit may monitor the proximityand/or charge status of the camera, as shown in block 1020.

In some examples, the camera may be configured to selectively receivepower. In other words, circuitry associated with wireless power chargingmay be selectively activated responsive to an indication of proximity ofan appropriately tuned wireless power transmitter. The base unit may beconfigured to broadcast power and the camera may be configured toreceive power broadcast at body-safe levels. The base unit may beconfigured to broadcast power and the camera may be configured toreceive power broadcast at a frequency within the range of 50 kHz or 500kHz. The camera may broadcast a signal (e.g., proximity signal, chargestatus signal), which may be detected by the base unit. Upon detectingof the camera in proximity the base unit may begin broadcasting powersignals and the camera may activate circuitry associated with wirelesspower reception (e.g., a charging circuit of the camera). In someexamples, the camera may broadcast a signal (e.g., proximity signal,charge status signal) responsive to an interrogation signal from thebase unit and the base unit may automatically detect the broadcastsignal from the camera and/or automatically initiate power transmissionupon the detection of the signal from the camera.

In some examples, the process 1000 may include capturing an image withthe camera and/or transfer data (e.g., images) wirelessly, as shown inblock 1025. Images may be captured responsive to a command, which may begenerated responsive to manual user input (e.g., via a trigger button onthe camera). In some examples, images may be captured responsive to acommand generated by the controller responsive to an audible commanddetected by the camera. For example, the camera may include a microphone(e.g., microphone 1268), which is configured to detect an audiblecommand, which may include a voice command or other speech or non-speechsounds (a click of the user's teeth). The camera may be configured tocapture images while receiving wireless power, e.g., as shown in block1030. Captured images may be stored onboard the camera (e.g., in amemory 1240) or transferred to another electronic device, such as thebase unit or a computer system 1410. Images or other data may betransferred wirelessly from the camera to the base unit or to anothercomputing device (e.g., computer system 1410 in FIG. 14) automaticallyor responsive to user input. To that end, the camera may includewireless communication devices (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or the like). Insome examples, the wireless receiver of the camera (e.g., receiver 1230)may also be configured as a transmitter operable to transmit data (e.g.,images) from the camera to the base unit or another computing device.

Referring now also to FIGS. 12-13, additional features of cameras inaccordance with the present disclosure will be described. As described,the camera 1200′, 1200″ may be a wearable camera and may include a guide1290. The guide 1290 may include one or more magnets 1292 formagnetically attaching the camera to the eyewear. The one or moremagnets may be embedded in the guide 1290. The guide 1290 may beprovided along a bottom side 1283 (also referred to as a base 1283) ofthe camera 1200′, 1200″. The guide 1290 may be implemented as aprotrusion (also referred to as male rail or simply rail) which isconfigured for a cooperating sliding fit with a groove (also referred toas female track or simply track) on the eyewear. The one or more magnetsmay be provided on the protrusion or at other location(s) along the base1283. In examples, the magnets may be positioned below the bottomsurface of the guide. In some examples, the magnets may be substantiallyflush with the bottom surface of the guide. A coating or protectivelayer may be provided on the contact surface of the magnets to preventthe guide from scratching any exterior/aesthetic surfaces of the eyewearas may otherwise result from slidable engagement between the cameraguide and the eyewear guide.

The camera 1200′ may include one or more user controls 1294. The usercontrols 1294 may be implemented in the form of buttons, switches, orthe like. To maintain waterproof characteristics of the camera, in someexamples, such buttons or switches may be provided below a flexibleportion of the housing. That is, one or more portions of the housing1280 may be formed of a resilient material such as rubber, silicon, orthe like, such that that portion of the housing may be deflected tooperate a button located below the flexible portion. In some examples,the user controls 1294 may be implemented using one or more capacitivesurfaces. For example, a capacitive switch 1295, which may include asmooth or textured surface, may be provided along a sidewall of thecamera. The capacitive surface may be molded with the housing to providean integral, water-tight user control. The capacitive switch 1295 mayfunction as a trigger for capturing an image. In some examples, the sameuser control (e.g., capacitive switch 1295) may be configured to performdifferent functions depending on the manipulation of the user control.For example, a single input via the user control (e.g., single touch orclick) may correspond with one function (e.g., capture an image), adouble input (e.g., two consecutive touches or double clicks) maycorrespond with another function (e.g., initiate image transfer), acontinuous input (e.g., a touch/click and hold) may correspond with yetanother function (e.g., configuring a setting or a parameter of thecamera, powering the camera on or off). These specific examples offunctions or types of manipulations of the user control are illustrativeonly and other combinations of functions and/or manipulations of theuser control(s) may be used.

User controls may be provided along one or more sides of the housing,for example along the sidewall, as shown in FIG. 12 or along a back wall1289′, as shown in FIG, 13. The camera may also include one or moresecuring features 1297. The camera may be configured to engage asecuring ring which may be connected to the eyewear. The securing ringmay be configured to provide an additional attachment means for ensuringthat the camera remains connected to the eyewear even if the magneticattachment fails. The securing ring may be made from a clear plasticmaterial (e.g., clear rubber or silicon) and may have a diameter of thecore ranging between 0.01 mm to about 2 min. The camera may include asecuring feature 1297 which may be in the form of a securing pin, asshown in FIG. 12 or a securing aperture, as shown in FIG. 13 forengaging the securing ring. In the example in FIG. 13, the securingaperture may be arranged such that a plane of a diameter of the apertureis generally perpendicular to the back wall 1289′ and/or base of thecamera. In some examples, the plane of the diameter of the aperture maybe generally parallel with the longitudinal direction of the guide 1290.

The camera may include one or more indicators 1296. The indicators 1296may be provided along one or more sides of the camera 1200′, 1200″, forexample along a top side of the camera, as in the example in FIG. 12 oron the back wall 1289′ of the camera, as in FIG. 13. The indicators maybe implemented in the form of one or more white or colored LEDs, whichbased on a color, duration or pattern of illumination may provideindication as to different functions or states of the camera orcomponents thereof The indicators may include a charge status indicator,a power On/Off indicator, a privacy indicator, or others. For example, aprivacy indicator may comprise one or more LEDs which may illuminatewhen an image (e.g., a still image or video) is being captured. Theillumination may notify others that an image is being captured. In someexamples, audible, vibrational, or other tactile feedback may be usedfor the one or more indicators. In some examples, the camera may beconfigured to provide audible feedback sounds to the user, For example,the camera may include a vibration source, a speaker, a buzzer, or otheraudio generating device and the indication may be provided by tactile oraudible means.

In some examples, the camera may be devoid of a view finder.Commercially available cameras typically include a view finder, which inthe case of digital cameras is typically in the form of a display. Theview finder allows the user to visualize the image that will be capturedby the image sensor thereby giving the user an opportunity to adjust thedirection in which the camera is pointing so as to capture the desiredimage. A view finder however significantly increases the overall size ofthe camera because an additional display device has to be added in thecase of digital camera to provide a view finder. Such a size increasemay be undesirable or impractical in some examples, such as for awearable or other small or miniaturized form factor cameras according tothe present disclosure. In some examples, the camera does not include aview finder and the user may not be able to preview the image to becaptured prior to capturing it. Configuration parameters forauto-alignment and/or auto-centering of images captured by a camera ofthe present disclosure may be developed in accordance with furtherexamples herein.

An example system and process for automatic processing of an image isdescribed further with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. As shown in blocks1405 and 1410 of FIG. 14, a process 1400 may include the steps ofcapturing a first image with a camera (e.g., camera 1500 in FIG. 15),and wirelessly transmitting the first image to a computing system (e.g.,computing system 1 in FIG. 15). The camera 1500 may include an imagesensor 1502 and, a memory 1504. The camera 1500 may be configured toreceive power wirelessly in accordance with the examples herein. In thisregard, the camera 1500 may include some or all of the components ofcameras described herein (e.g., camera 1200, 1200′, 1200″) thus forbrevity the description of these components will not be repeated. Thecamera 1500 may be configured to communicate wirelessly with one or morecomputing systems. The camera 1500 may include a wireless communicationdevice 1506, such as a Wi-Fi enabled or Bluetooth enabledreceiver/transmitter or a receiver/transmitter configured additionallyfor wireless power reception, as described herein. In some examples, thecamera may be devoid of a view finder thus the captured first image maynot have been previewed prior to capture.

The computing system may be a personal computer, laptop, or a smartdevice such as a tablet or a mobile phone. The computing system (e.g.,computing system 1) may include a memory 1530, a processor 1522, adisplay 1524, and a wireless communication device 1526 e.g., Wi-Fienabled or Bluetooth enabled receiver/transmitter and/or a receivertransmitter configured to also broadcast wireless power and/or receivedata). in some examples, the computing system 1 may be the base unit ora communication device to which the base unit is attached. The memorymay be configured to store processor-executable instructions, data(e.g., images 1534 received from the camera), and one or moreconfiguration parameters 1536 associated with the camera.

The first image captured by camera 1500 may be used as a set-up orreference image. The first image may be displayed on a display of thecomputing system (e.g., display 1524 of computing system 1), as shown inblock 1415 of FIG. 14. The user may modify the first image, for exampleby changing the center of the image, or changing an orientation of theimage. This user-directed modification to the first image may bereceived by the computing system as an indication of an adjustment tothe location of the center of the first image or the orientation of thefirst image, as shown in block 1420. The computing system may generateconfiguration parameters 1536 corresponding to the adjustment, as shownin block 1425 and store the configuration parameters 1536 in memory(e.g., memory 1530). This may complete a configuration or set-upprocess. In subsequent steps, the user may capture additional imageswith the camera e. camera 1500). The images may be transmitted to thecomputing system (e.g., computing system 1) for processing (e.g., batchprocessing). The computing system may retrieve the configurationparameter 1536 following receipt of a second image from the camera andmay automatically modify the second image in accordance with theconfiguration parameters 1536, as shown in block 1430 in FIG. 14. Forexample, the computing system may automatically center or rotate theimage by a corresponding amount as in the first image. This modificationmay be performed automatically (e.g., without further user input) and/orin batch upon receiving additional images from the camera, which mayreduce subsequent processing steps that the user may need to perform tothe images. In some examples, initial modification (e.g., as directed byuser input) may include cropping the image, which may be reflected inthe configuration parameter. Thus, in some examples, automaticmodification of subsequent images may also include cropping a secondimage based on the configuration parameters 1536. In some examples, thecamera may be operable to be communicatively coupled to two or morecomputing systems. For example, the camera may be configured to receivepower and data from and/or transfer data to a second computing system(e.g., computing system 2). The second computing system may be apersonal computer, laptop, a smart device. In some examples, the secondcomputing system may be a base unit of a wireless power transfer systemor a communication device to which such base unit is coupled. In someexamples, the first computing system may be configured to transmit(e.g., wirelessly) the configuration parameters 1536 to the camera. Theconfiguration parameters 1536 may be stored in memory onboard the camera(e.g., memory 1504) and may be transmitted to other computing devicesdifferent from the initial computing device which generated theconfiguration parameters. The configuration parameters 1536 may betransmitted to these other computing devices for example prior to oralong with images transferred thereto, which may enable automaticprocessing/modification of images by additional computing device otherthan the computing device used in the initial set-up process. It will beappreciated that the designation of computing system as first or secondis provided for clarity of illustrations and in examples, theset-up/configuration steps may be performed by the second computingsystem. It will be further understood that while two computing systemsare illustrated in FIG. 15, embodiments according to the presentdisclosure may include any number of computing systems.

In some examples, a process for auto-centering of an image may includethe steps of capturing an image with a camera (e.g., camera 1500). Thecamera may be devoid of a view finder. The camera 1500 may wirelesslytransmit the image to a computing system (e.g., computing system 1 orcomputing system 2). The computing system may includeprocessor-executable instructions (e.g., instructions 1532) forprocessing the image, for example for auto-centering the image based ona number of objects in the image. For example, the computing system mayinclude processor-executable instructions for identifying number ofobjects in the image. In some examples, the objects may be one or moreheads, which may be human heads, or other objects such as buildings, orother natural or man-made structures. Following identification of thenumber of objects, the computing system may determine a middle objectfrom the number of objects. For example, if the computing systemdetermines that there are 5 heads in the image, the middle head, whichmay be the 3rd head, may be selected as the middle head, if thecomputing system determines that there are 7 heads, the 4th head may bedetermined as the middle head, and so on. In some examples, thecomputing system may include instructions for centering the imagebetween two adjacent object. For example, if an even number of objectsare identified, the computing system may be configured to split thedifference between the middle two adjacent object and center the imagethere. In some examples, the computing system may refer to a look-uptable which may identify the middle object(s) for any given number ofobjects. The computing system may then automatically center the image onthe middle object or a midpoint between two adjacent middle objects. Inother words, the computing system may be configured to count the numberof heads in the captured image and center the captured image on themiddle head or the midpoint between two adjacent middle objects. Thecomputing system may store the modified image centered in accordancewith the examples herein.

The above detailed description of examples is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the method and system for wireless power transferto the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of, andexamples for, the method and systems for wireless power transfer aredescribed above for illustrative purposes, various equivalentmodifications are possible within the scope of the system, as thoseskilled in the art will recognize. For example, while processes orblocks are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments mayperform routines having operations, or employ systems having blocks, ina different order, and some processes or blocks may be deleted, moved,added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified. While processes or blocksare at times shown as being performed in series, these processes orblocks may instead be performed in parallel, or may be performed atdifferent times, it will be further appreciated that one or morecomponents of base units, electronic devices, or systems in accordancewith specific examples may be used in combination with any of thecomponents of base units, electronic devices, or systems of any of theexamples described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wearable camera system, wherein the wearablecamera system includes a wearable camera and a mobile charging unit,wherein the camera has a camera body having a width or a height that issmaller than a length of the camera body, the length of the camera bodybeing measured from a front end of the camera body, which includes acamera lens, to an opposite back end of the camera body, wherein thecamera body comprises on board power and control for capturing an imagewithout being connected to the mobile charging unit, wherein thewearable camera comprises a privacy indicator configured to illuminate alight perceivable by an observer when an image is being captured toindicate that an image is being captured, wherein the wearable camera isreleasably attachable to a plurality of different articles, wherein thewearable camera is configured to download an image comprising a photo ora video captured by the wearable camera to the mobile charging unit andwherein the mobile charging unit is configured to alter the imagecaptured by the wearable camera prior to transmitting the altered imageto another computing device.
 2. The wearable camera system of claim 1,wherein the mobile charging unit is configured to recharge the wearablecamera while the camera is received at least partially within the mobilecharging unit.
 3. The wearable camera system of claim 1, wherein themobile charging unit is configured to recharge the wearable camera whenthe mobile charging unit is not connected to a power source.
 4. Thewearable camera system of claim 1, wherein the wearable camera isconfigured to be charged inductively or wirelessly.
 5. The wearablecamera system of claim 1, wherein the computing device is a smart phone.6. The wearable camera system of claim 1 wherein the wearable camera isconfigured to be charged by a direct wired connection.
 7. The wearablecamera system of claim 1, wherein the wearable camera is resistant. 8.The wearable camera system of claim 1, wherein the mobile charging unitis configured to alter the image by enhancing the image.
 9. The wearablecamera system of claim 1, wherein the wearable camera is configured tobe attached to at least one of the plurality of different articles. 10.The wearable camera system of claim 1, wherein the wearable cameracomprises a motion sensor configured to detect movement of the cameraresponsive to a tap in proximity to the camera, and wherein the motionsensor is configured to trigger image capture responsive to the tap. 11.The wearable camera system of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofdifferent articles include two of the group consisting of eyewear, ring,necklace, band, bracelet, belt, headgear, hat, holster, and purse. 12.The wearable camera system of claim 1, wherein the on board power of thewearable camera has less capacity than a battery of the mobile chargingunit.
 13. The wearable camera system of claim 1, wherein the mobilecharging unit is configured to transmit the enhanced images to a smartphone.
 14. The wearable camera system of claim 1, wherein the mobilecharging unit is configured to concurrently charge a plurality ofwearable cameras.
 15. The wearable camera system of claim 1, wherein thewearable camera is a first wearable camera, the system furthercomprising an additional wearable camera configured to becommunicatively coupled to at least one of the first wearable camera orthe mobile charging unit and charged by the mobile charging unit alongwith the first wearable camera.
 16. The wearable camera system of claim15, wherein the additional wearable camera is configured to be chargedby the mobile charging unit wirelessly or inductively.
 17. A wearablecamera system comprising a plurality of wearable cameras and a mobilecharging unit configured to charge each of the plurality of wearablecameras without being connected to an external power source, whereineach of the wearable cameras of the plurality has a camera body having awidth or a height that is smaller than a length of the camera body, thelength of the camera body being measured from a front end of the camerabody to a back end of the camera body, wherein the camera body compriseson board power and control for capturing an image comprising a photo orvideo, wherein the camera body comprises a sensor or a switch configuredto trigger image capture, wherein each of the wearable cameras of theplurality is attachable to and detachable from a plurality of differentarticles including being magnetically attachable to eyewear, and whereineach of the plurality of wearable is configured to download an imagecomprising a photo or video captured by the respective wearable camerato the mobile charging unit, which is configured to transmit the imageto another computing device, and wherein the mobile charging unit isfurther configured to concurrently charge the plurality of wearablecameras.
 18. The wearable camera system of claim 17, wherein each of thewearable cameras of the plurality can be charged inductively orwirelessly.
 19. The wearable camera system of claim 17, wherein themobile charging unit is configured to alter the image received from thecamera.
 20. The wearable camera system of claim 17, wherein at least oneof the wearable cameras of the plurality can be charged by a wiredconnection.
 21. The wearable camera system of claim 17, wherein at leastone of the wearable cameras of the plurality is water resistant.
 22. Thewearable camera system of claim 17, wherein at least one of theplurality of the wearable cameras can be attached magnetically.
 23. Thewearable camera system of claim 17, wherein each of the wearable camerasof the plurality has a volume of 9,000 cubic mm or less.
 24. Thewearable camera system of claim 17, wherein the plurality of differentarticles include two of the group consisting of eyewear, ring, necklace,band, bracelet, belt, headgear, hat, holster, and purse.
 25. Thewearable camera system of claim 17, wherein at least one of the wearablecameras of the plurality includes a privacy light configured toilluminate and inform an observer whose image is being captured wheneversuch image is being captured by the at least one of the wearable camerasof the plurality.
 26. The wearable camera system of claim 17, whereineach of the wearable cameras of the plurality is configured towirelessly download the images captured by the respective wearablecamera to the mobile charging unit.
 27. The wearable camera system ofclaim 17, wherein each of the wearable cameras of the plurality isdevoid of a view finder.
 28. The wearable camera system of claim 19,wherein the mobile charging unit is configured to transfer the alteredimage to at least one other computing device including a smart phone.29. The wearable camera system of claim 17, wherein the sensor is amotion sensor or a capacitance switch.
 30. The wearable camera system ofclaim 29, wherein the motion sensor is an accelerometer.